Ebay refunded none delivery then item delivered.

cutler38

So, iv been selling on ebay for a while and this is the 1st time this has come up. I sold an item to an individual a few weeks back through 2nd class signed for, a couple of days after it was posted the buyer opened a case for none delivery and asked for tracking information, all of which was uploaded.
Ebay then close the case against me as the item had no updates within 7 days. The day after the buyer gets his refund his item amazingly turns up.
I contacted ebay have they have basically said if the buyer dosnt want to pay he doesn't have to and to sort it out myself. 
I can't see how a company like ebay can have such a huge loop-hole for buyers to get free items. 
A quick search of the buyer on ebay shows he has previous for this and constant bids on items then none payment, yet ebay dosnt seem to have restricted or removed his account like they claim with this 2 strike rule. The account does have over 2000+ positive reviews, but looking through his buyer feedback there are an awfull lot of negative comments about similar issues.
So other than going through small claims court, for the sake of £20, so I have any other options?

cymruchris

cutler38 said:

so I have any other options?

I'm not a fan of ebay and what it's become in recent years. The way that Royal Mail say that 24 and 48 services aren't guaranteed in the given timescales, and that Ebay say it it's not received in X time means that you're over a barrel, as neither policy supports the other, and nobody takes responsibility.

Option 1 - Stop selling on ebay

Option 2 - Shrug your shoulders, carry on, and sell again on ebay taking the risk that it happens again

You could insist on using special delivery for your items - but that would put most people off for low value items. You could also look at non-royal mail alternatives - but they all have their bad days.

GadgetGuru

Although he has done it many times before I think it comes down to whether he has been reported before - definately report the buyer to eBay so it is note don his account. 
Otherwise I don't think there is much else you can do Im afraid.....
You could at least send a letter of action to see if that get's the buyer to pay, but its more a scare tactic then anything else.....

Situations like this are so frustrating.

cutler38

So after another phone call and a few tweets on twitter ebay have no refunded me the money and overturned the case

cymruchris

cutler38 said:

So after another phone call and a few tweets on twitter ebay have no refunded me the money and overturned the case

That's a good outcome. I wish they'd have policies that tied delivery timescales of Royal Mail with cutoffs on Ebay - it would save these situations from happening and sellers being out of pocket.

soolin

cymruchris said:

cutler38 said:

So after another phone call and a few tweets on twitter ebay have no refunded me the money and overturned the case

That's a good outcome. I wish they'd have policies that tied delivery timescales of Royal Mail with cutoffs on Ebay - it would save these situations from happening and sellers being out of pocket.

I agree, by one of those awful comincidences I have today had a dreaded ‘I haven’t got my parcel yet and it’s late, where is it ‘ emails. This is entirely due to eBay’s stupid estimated delivery dates. So,d Saturday evening, 3 day despatch and RM48 - yet eBay in their infinite wisdom have shown the buyer an EDD of 13-14th. So technically my buyer could open an INR as early as tomorrow.